Celebrity Remembering Robin Williams Through His Most Beloved Roles Over the course of four decades, the actor inspired and enchanted audiences of all ages By Nate Jones Updated on August 11, 2020 01:48 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Jim Britt/ABC/Getty; Moviestore Collection/Rex (2) Robin Williams, who died by suicide six years ago at the age of 63, rose to fame as a stand-up comedian and sitcom star, but over the course of his long career, Williams proved himself a limitless talent, equally at home in family films, adult dramas and everything in between. As the world continues mourn Williams, let’s look back at the roles that made the actor so beloved. Mork, Mork & Mindy Walt Disney Television via Getty Playing an alien sent from the planet Ork to study humans, Williams brought his comedic sensibilities to a national audience for the first time. The catchphrases (“Nanu nanu”) may seem odd to contemporary viewers, but Williams’s mile-a-minute comic deadpan is instantly recognizable. Garp, The World According to Garp Moviestore/Shutterstock Williams’s ambition was evident in his first major film role. Rather than repeat his Mork persona, he took the lead in the screen adaptation of John Irving’s classic novel, a contemplative author wrestling (sometimes literally) with notions of family and sexuality. Adrian Cronauer, Good Morning Vietnam Sunset Boulevard/Getty Williams received his first Academy Award nomination for playing Cronauer, an irreverent radio broadcaster who entertained troops during the Vietnam War. The film’s broadcast scenes proved that his manic improvisations could work in a “serious” film. John Keating, Dead Poets Society Touchstone Pictures/Getty The warmth and force of Williams’s comic energy separated this period piece from the rest of the “inspirational teacher” genre, as his poetry-loving lecturer inspired a generation of students to stand up for their beliefs (and stand on their desks). Peter Pan, Hook Even as he approached middle age, Williams delighted in letting out his inner teenage boy, making him the perfect choice to play the adult version of the boy who refused to grow up. Genie, Aladdin Moviestore/Shutterstock For a generation of ’90s kids, this is the definitive Williams performance. Thanks to the power of animation, the actor’s physical form kept up with the energy of his voice as the effervescent genie in the classic Disney film. Daniel Hilliard, Mrs. Doubtfire 20th Century Fox Film Corp. The physical transformation required for Mrs. Doubtfire was no less impressive. Even under a foam suit, a wig and prosthetic mask, Williams’s personality could not be contained. Armand Goldman, The Birdcage Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Williams’s love of camp made him stand out among his comedic peers, and playing the straight man (so to speak) to Nathan Lane gave him the opportunity to indulge his wilder instincts while also offering up a grounded performance. Sean Maguire, Good Will Hunting Miramax/Kobal/Shutterstock After two nominations, Williams won his sole Oscar for playing a quiet therapist who helps Matt Damon overcome his insecurities. As the dispenser of wisdom both obvious (“It’s not your fault”) and uncomfortable (“I can’t learn anything from you I couldn’t read in some book”), Williams proved the perfect mentor for Damon’s troubled genius. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.